The coadministration of EFV decreased the bioavailability of ENG released from the implant, which could impair contraceptive efficacy. However, the coadministration of LPV/r increased the bioavailability of ENG released from the implant, which suggests that this antiretroviral combination does not impair the ENG implant efficacy.

No abstract

Hormonal contraception is the most widely used method to prevent unplanned pregnancies. The literature has shown an association between cardiovascular risk and use of hormone therapy. With the purpose of providing better guidelines on contraception methods for women with risk factors for cardiovascular disease, we have reviewed the literature on the subject. This review describes the latest data from the scientific literature concerning the influence of hormonal contraceptives on arterial thrombosis, venous thrombosis and systemic high blood pressure, which are diseases that have become increasingly prevalent among young females.

Quantitative and qualitative acoustic radiation force impulse elastography of the spleen in healthy adult cats was easily implemented and this study may provide baseline data for this organ to allow the future use of this technique in evaluating cats with splenic disease.

Revisão ResumoUma adequada contracepção no puerpério é recomendada para prevenir morbidades maternas e infantis. Os benefícios materno-fetais da lactação são indiscutíveis e a amamentação exclusiva em pacientes amenorréicas é um método contraceptivo eficaz. No entanto, o reinício da fertilidade é variável entre as mulheres e deve-se considerar que o acesso ao serviço de saúde em muitas regiões não é garantido, comprometendo a prescrição de um método eficaz, quando ocorre o retorno dos ciclos ovulatórios. Foram pesquisados no Medline (PubMed) os artigos relacionados ao tema publicados entre 1971 e abril de 2008 e selecionados os artigos relevantes na literatura sobre contracepção no puerpério. Curtos intervalos intergestacionais aumentam complicações maternas e fetais, portanto uma contracepção eficaz no puerpério é imperiosa. O ideal é que o método prescrito seja eficaz e seguro (não interfira na lactação e nem altere o sistema hemostático). Apesar do método contraceptivo da lactação-amenorréia representar um método eficaz de prevenção de gestação, o retorno à fertilidade é impreciso. Em populações de risco para intervalo intergestacional curto e/ou acesso difícil ao serviço de saúde, outros métodos deverão ser associados após seis semanas, como os não hormonais ou os de progestagênios isolados, podendo ser utilizados antes em situações especiais. AbstractAdequate postpartum contraception is recommended in order to prevent mother and infant morbidity. The mother-infant benefits of lactation are well recognized, and exclusive, regular and frequent breastfeeding is an effective contraceptive method for amenorrheic patients. However, the resumption of fertility varies among women and access to health services is not guaranteed in many regions of the world. We searched the articles in Medline (PubMed) related to the subject published between 1971 to April 2008 and selected the most relevant articles in the literature about postpartum contraception. Short interpregnancy intervals increase maternal and fetal complications and therefore effective postpartum contraception is imperative. The ideal method prescribed should be effective and safe, id est, should not interfere with lactation or alter the hemostatic system. During the postpartum period, ideally non-hormonal methods should be used because they do not alter lactation or hemostasis. However, in populations with difficult access to health or with an early start of calorie supplementation to the newborn, the option should be for progestogens-only contraceptives, ideally initiated after six weeks or earlier in special situations.

This was a cross-sectional study of women of reproductive age with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) being treated at Bahiana School Rheumatology Service in Brazil. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of contraceptive counselling and use. An interview was performed, and the results were analysed before and after the SLE diagnosis. Eighty-five women were included; the mean age of the group was 32.98 ± 8.39 years. Before SLE diagnosis, most of the patients had used some contraceptive method; mainly oral contraceptives (54%) or hormone injections (21%). After SLE diagnosis, 53% of patients did not use any contraceptive method. Among the remaining patients who continued using contraceptives, 22% used condoms, 11% used combined oral contraceptives and 7% used hormone injections. Although 62% of the patients regularly visited the gynaecologist, 56% were unaware of which contraceptive method could be used safely. Thus, a better contraceptive counselling of women of a reproductive age should be performed after SLE diagnosis. Impact Statement What is already known on this subject? Women diagnosed with SLE have inadequate counselling about family planning. What the results of this study add? Brazilian women with SLE have a low prevalence of contraceptive use after their diagnosis and are exposed to having high-risk pregnancies. What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The results we found highlight the importance of continued medical educational programmes and establish questions for further studies in order to investigate the interventions used to improve the contraceptive use for women diagnosed with SLE.

No abstract

Ultrasound (B-mode) was used to analyze follicular events in 12 trained female owl monkeys (Aotus azarai infulatus). The animals were examined every 48 hours for over 90 days to measure and map follicular growth in both ovaries and to measure (using Doppler velocimetry) local hemodynamic changes during the peri-ovulatory stage. There were 44 follicular growth events, each with two or three follicular waves, and a mean ± SEM interval between events of 17 ± 1.13 days. There were various hemodynamic changes during follicular growth; both vascular resistance index and pulsatility index decreased during the time when the follicle diameter peaked. Thus, both B-mode and Doppler ultrasound were useful for monitoring ovarian follicular events in owl monkeys.